Novices and Fire Mages sat around eight large tables in the dining hall. All kinds of meats seasoned with garlic, rosemary, mustard seeds and other spices had been prepared by the mages and novices in charge of the kitchen. Sauces, mashed potatoes, green beans and mushrooms cooked in butter were placed on big, round plates next to the meat. Decanters and pitches with wine and other beverages were within arm’s reach. Rhobart, Ayla, and Milton sat at the same table as the Arch-Mage, the twins were yet to arrive. Kerra was lying at Rhobart’s feet, chewing a bone. Word of the King of Nordmar and his n’alxa arriving at the Fire Monastery had spread like wildfire. Many stopped at the table where Ayla and Rhobart sat, wanting to congratulate the King on finally finding the future Queen of Nordmar or to meet Ayla. All the attention made Ayla feel uncomfortable. She went from the girl who had been locked in her room to the woman who, together with Rhobart, would rule Nordmar. It scared her.

After breakfast, Milton agreed to take Ayla to the Great Library. Rhobart retired to their room, needing to send parchments and look over reports he had received from the chief of the Warrior Clan. The Great Library was on the bottom floor, near the entrance. The doors were wide open, and Ayla and Milton walked in. Bookcases that reached the ceiling were placed around the walls, and tables with chairs were placed near them. Magic crystals floated close to the ceiling. The stone floor was covered with rugs. “Why is it called the Great Library?” Ayla asked Milton in a low tone. “Even the Royal Library from Myrthana is bigger.” “This is only the first floor.” He pointed to a staircase that led to a lower level. “There are many more floors beneath this one.” “Why is this called the first floor?” “When the Fire Monastery was first built, the Great Library was only on this floor. With time the Fire Mages started collecting more tomes, and they needed more space. They made the next f

“Good,” the queen said before leaving the study. Ayla tried to go after her, but Rhobart stopped her. “Let go of me,” she demanded. “She has to take her words back,” she croaked. It was too late for the words to be taken back. From his throne made of bones and skulls, Death heard everything, and he was already on his way. Ayla tried to fight Rhobart, so she could run after Queen Vannya to ask her, no, to demand her to take her words back, but Rhobart pulled her in for a hug. “Let go of me!” she said while hitting Rhobart’s chest with her fists. “You don’t understand. She has to undo what she did.” “Ayla, it will be alright.” “She cursed you.” Her voice trembled. “I saw you die in my dreams, and I can’t...I won’t allow it!” “Stop!” Rhobart demanded. “Could I have a private moment with my n’alxa?” he asked Sarya and the Arch-Mage. The others retired. “She cursed you, and I don’t know how much longer until it comes to be. We have to stop her from leaving. I will beg her if

Since remembering the Dark Mage and what he did to her, Ayla had felt ashamed of the way she screamed and cried and begged each time she had been tortured. Queen Vannya had called her weak and pathetic when she looked at Ayla’s memories. The queen was right; she was pitiful. But seeing the Magic Teacher so... calm when studying her memories made her question everything Sarya told her she had to do. What if she failed? What if Beliar won because of her? Could someone else be the Peace-Bringer? Before he left Ayla’s mind, he looked at another memory. At dawn, the heavy gates that prevented the enemy army from entering Erylas finally gave way after hours of being hit with the battering ram and with magic. Ayla was in her room, on her knees, praying to Addanos that her death would be quick, but that of Galian and her father would be so painful and slow they would beg—beg—for mercy, just like she did so many times. It was around midnight when Galian went to Ayla’s room. She knew why he

She put her hand between them and ran her palm on top of his trousers. His cock, his very hard cock, throbbed against her palm. He groaned. “Do you have any idea what you do to me when you touch me like this? When your little fingers—” Whatever Rhobart was about to say got interrupted by a knock on the door. Ayla reached out her hand to grab the duvet. She should have let the drapes loose around the bed. “Go away!” Rhobart growled loudly. “We are not here.” “My King, I am sorry for disturbing you, but the Arch-Mage requires the presence of Lady Ayla in his study,” the voice of a man came from behind the door. Rhobart sighed in annoyance. “Tell him we will be there in a moment.” The man left. “I guess playtime is over,” Ayla pouted. Rhobart chuckled and kissed her brow. “We will continue what we started once we get rid of the Arch-Mage.” After they got dressed and made themselves presentable, Rhobart opened the door. “Kerra, come!” said Rhobart before he and Ayla left the